ME To Move To New Building Next Year

The Oklahoma State Medical Examiner’s office is getting a new home as part of its effort to regain accreditation. The Medical Examiner’s Board of Directors approved an agreement for the office to move to the former Oklahoma City-County Health Building near the State Capitol in Oklahoma City.

It was in 2009 when the State Medical Examiner’s Office lost its accreditation with the National Association of Medical Examiners after it was cited for deficiencies in its facilities.

“This agreement allows the state medical examiner’s office to move into a new facility and out of its old, cramped and dilapidated building,” Governor Mary Fallin said. “The medical examiner’s office lacks sufficient space for staff and agency operations, and it can’t be expanded. This is a vital step in winning back accreditation for the medical examiner’s office, which conducts the important work of determining the cause of death for victims of violent or suspicious deaths.”

The agreement actually helps generate some revenue for schools because the Oklahoma Commissioners of the Land Office (CLO) own the building.

“This is a win-win for the state,” said Fallin. “With the CLO owning the building, the lease payments it collects will go directly with other funds it collects and distributes to public schools and higher education.”

The Medical Examiner’s Office will take up the first two floors of the building. Construction to make the building ready is set to begin early next year. The expected move in date is October 1, 2017.

“We are all thrilled at the prospect of moving to the new facility, which will be state of the art,” said Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Eric Pfeifer. “Our current building is derelict and unsafe, and would not qualify for even veterinary medicine standards, and now we will be able to practice with safety, professional dignity, and offer Oklahoma’s decedents greater dignity in their care as well. Nearly every employee here at the OCME has participated in some way with the design process, and we feel this new building will exhibit our collective values.”


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